I came across a great article today that illustrates just why collaborative divorce can be such a great thing for the children of divorce. The article profiles a family from Rochester, New York that is going through a collaborative divorce with children – successfully. On anther note – I was forced to go to court…
Category Archives: How we work
What happens at the first Collaborative Divorce Meeting?
Ok – so you’ve made the smart decision to proceed with a collaborative divorce. You’ve talked to your attorney, your spouse is on board as is their attorney, and you’ve gathered all the documents you need for that first 4-way meeting. Now what? You may be feeling a little nervous, anxious, and perhaps a bit…
Why I like Collaborative Divorce so much…
I just started another Collaborative Divorce Case yesterday (meaning that we had the first four-way meeting with another attorney and her client). It was another shining example of why Collaborative Divorce is such a great thing for clients that are willing to work with one another to resolve their case with less stress and pain…
What is the true “cost” of Divorce?
The more people/clients I talk to, the more frustrated I become at the heart-wrenching stories of individuals who have been exposed to the “traditional” methods of divorce. By traditional, I mean divorcing couples who seek out attorneys that will “fight for their rights” to make sure they get the best deal in the divorce, even…
No Court Divorce: Less Stress, Happier Kids… a better way
Yesterday morning I attended a “calendar call” in a domestic relations courtroom in Wake County. This is a scheduled court appearance for every attorney and litigant that has a hearing or trial scheduled in front of that particular judge for the entire week. It is an opportunity for the judge to call each case and…
What is Divorce Mediation – Does the North Carolina method work?
I didn’t realize until I had moved to North Carolina and reopened my family law practice here just how many meanings there are to the word mediation. Lets start with a basic definition – a mediation is a form of non-binding dispute resolution where the parties meet with a neutral mediator to help them resolve…
How to prepare for divorce tip #10: Avoid additional Debt of Major Purchases
One of the biggest mistakes I see divorcing couples make is piling on additional debt after they separate, thinking that their spouse is responsible for one-half of this new debt. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. In North Carolina, the courts will look at the amount of debt you, as a couple, have incurred…
Additional Collaborative Divorce Lawyers I recommend
From time to time I meet with other Collaborative Divorce Attorneys that I recommend. Why do I recommend my competition you might ask? Because for starters – what goes around comes around. Second, collaborative divorce is a new and emerging practice area, and frankly, there aren’t that many of us out there. In order for…
How to prepare for divorce tip #4: Photocopy all the financial records
Although I believe strongly that the collaborative process is the right approach for nearly all divorcing couples, I can understand that when you first begin thinking about divorce, the gut reaction is going to be to circle the wagons and get ready. That is why I have included photocopying the financial records as tip #4. …
How to Prepare for divorce tip #3: Account for the Family Finances
In this third of a series of “How to Prepare for Divorce” Tips, I recommend that you begin gathering information about your families finances. One of the primary functions of the divorce process is to make a division of the assets and debts of the marriage. In order to get a fair division, you must…